Louver structure



July 9, 1963 A. D. GOETTL 3,096,705

LOUVER STRUCTURE Filed April 9, 1959 5 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR.

Adam 11609 i U ZM/QOQM AGENT FIG I.

F IG.2.

A. D. GO ETTL LOUVER STRUCTURE July 9, 1 963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9, 1959 INVENTOR. Adam D.GoefiL AGENT July 9, 1963 A. D. GOETTL LOUVER STRUCTURE Z5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1959 INVENTOR. 1400M 0. 605274 AGENT United States Patent ware Filed Apr. 9, 1959, der. No. 805,203 Claims. (Ci. 98-121) This invention relates to a louver structure and more particularly to a reinforced louver structure which may be used as an outer wall for evaporative cooler pads which generally embody a layer of excelsior or other foraminous material adjacent one side of the louver structure.

The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 708,092, filed January 10, 1958, now abandoned.

Louver structures which are formed of a single sheet or plate of metal have been used for various purposes and louver slat elements formed in a sheet of metal if extensive in length are easily deflected and bent out of line during use. Accordingly, it has been common practice to form a plurality of first longitudinally spaced louver slat elements in sheet metal so that the louver slat elements are not unduly long and hence structurally Weak. When louver slat elements are formed parallel to each other; and second intermediate staggered louver slat elements must span a given space between opposite ends of the first slat elements and if a large area is to be louvered the louver slat elements are arranged in short sections and longitudinally spaced relative to each other. In such structures a strip of the louver plate generally extends transversely between the longitudinally spaced louver slat elements and heretofore this strip between the spaced louver slat elements has permitted slight ilexure or deflection of the louver plate.

The foregoing condition is particularly noticeable in louver structures forming an outer retaining side of an evaporative cooler pad. These pads sometimes become packed behind the louver plate and tend to deflect it outwardly at locations between the adjacent ends of longitudirrally spaced louver slat elements formed in the louver plate.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a louver structure wherein parallel rows of longitudinally spaced louver slat elements are integral with laterally extended reinforcing structure of strips between adjacent ends of the longitudinally spaced louver slat elements, whereby such structure of the intermediate strips in the louver plate rigidly interconnect the longitudinally spaced louver slat elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a louver structure wherein parallel rows of longitudinally spaced louver slat elements are integral with laterally expanded reinforcing structure of strips between adjacent ends of the longitudinally spaced louver elements, whereby such structure of the intermediate strips in the louver plate rigidly interconnect the longitudinally spaced louver slat elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a louver structure which is very readily and easily formed in a conventional blanking and forming die.

Another object of the invention is to provide a louver structure which-may be formed of a single sheet of metal and does not require additional reinforcing members which according to common practice must be spot welded on the louver plate contiguous with strips of metal which extend transversely of the louver slat elements and between adjacent ends of such longitudinally spaced louver slat elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a louver structure which may be formed in an extensive plate member and which may be used for a great variety of purposes involving the imposition of lateral stresses on the louver plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel louver plate reinforcing structure which is aligned with and between longitudinally spaced louver slat elements all integrally formed in a single plate of metal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel louver plate reinforcing structure which is aligned with and located between longitudinally spaced louver slat elements all integrally formed in a single plate of metal and wherein the reinforcing structure is expanded laterally of the plate a substantial distance to thereby stifien the plate between the ends of the louver slat elements.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an edge view of a louver structure in ac cordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view similar to that as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an edge View of a modified form on a louver structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a louver structure shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary edge view of the modified louver structure taken from the line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line .1010 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a view of a further modification of the present invention showing a fragmentary portion of a blank for a louver plate having expandable reinforcing structure therein.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the modified expanded reinforcing structure of a strip between adjacent ends of louver elements, and;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken of the expanded structure shown in FIG. 12.

The louver plate is provided with louver slat elements 18 and 20 which are integral therewith. These louver slat elements are longitudinally spaced relative to each other at their adjacent ends 22 and 24, respectively. A strip of the louver plate 12 is disposed between the adjacent ends 22 and 24 of the louver slat elements 18 and 20 thereby limiting the length of the louver slat elements 18 and 20 to practical structural proportions. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the louver slat elements 18 and 20 extend at an angle from the plate 12 and in the specific example shown in these figures an angle of 45 degrees is common to both of these louver elements. It will be seen that the louver slat elements 18 and 20 align with each other and extend angularly from the plate .12 at locations 28 and '30 coinciding with and disposed on one side of the plate 12. These locations 28 and 30 are aligned longitudinally of louver slat elements 18 and 20. A strip 26 is disposed between adjacent ends of the louver slat elements 18 and 20 and extends, substantially, at right angles thereto. This strip 26 is provided with a portion 32 which extend laterally of one side of the plate 12 at an angle common to that of the louver slat elements 18 and 28. Each of these portions 32 is integral with respective aligned louver slat elements 18 and 20, thereby forming a respective continuous interconnecting portion which extends transversely through the strip 26.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the locations 28 and 30 are disposed at the break line of the louver slat elements 18 and 2t and that each portion 32 of the strip 26 is integral with the respective ends 22 and 24 of the louver slat elements 18 and 20. It will be seen that opposite ends 34, of the louver slat elements 18 are blanked out from the break line location 28 coinciding with one side of the plate 12 while the end 22 adjacent to the end 24 of the louver slat element 20 is cut out to a location 36 which is spaced laterally of the louver break line location-s 28 and 36 which align with each other.

When the louver slat elements 18 and 20 are blanked out of the plate 12 the portion of the forming die which punches the louver slat elements 18 and 20 outwardly to the desired angle also forms the strip 26 in the same direction whereby the portions 32 are formed laterally of one side of the plate 12 and into alignment with the louver slat elements 18 and 20. During the formation of the reinforcing portions 32 the strip 26 is stretched slightly in order to provide the ofiset disposition of the portions 32 which integrally interconnection the louver slat elements 18 and Zllto provide a continuous laterally offset reinforcing element for the louver plate 12. It will be seen from FIGS. 2 and'3 of the drawings that several rows of longitudinally spaced louver slat elements 18 and 20 may be arranged in parallel relationship to each other and that the portions 32 are all disposed laterally of one side of the plate 12 and transversely of the strip 26.

In operation the louver structures as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings may be stressed laterally in the direction of the arrows A by pads ofexcelsior or other foraminous material which are engaged with and retained by the louver slat elements. 18 and 20 together with the other remaining surfaces at the inner or louver side of the plate 12.

It is contemplated that the present louver structure may be utilized for purposes other than evaporative cooler pads and that the louver slat elements 18 and 20 may be otherwise disposed. Regardless of the disposition of the louver slat elements 18 and 20 with respect to lateral loading of the plate the angular reinforcing portions 32 interconnecting the louver slat elements laterally of the plate will tend to resist bending stresses which may be created by loads inposed laterally of the plate from either side thereof.

In the modified louver structure as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, inclusive, a louver plate is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced louver elements which are longitudinally staggered with relation to each other. As shown in .FIG. 7 the louver slat elements 18 and 20 forming the upper row of longitudinally spaced louver slat elements are staggered with relation to the adjacent louver slat elements 18a and 20a. It will be seen that the middle portion of the louver slat element 18a is adjacent to the strip 26 of the plate 12 located between adjacent ends 22 and 24 of the louver slat elements 18 and 20, respectively. Between adjacent ends 22a and 24a of the louver slat elements 18a and 20a is a strip 26a of the plate 12 which is similar to the strip 26 as hereinbefore described. The strip 26a is located adjacent to a middle portion of a louver slat element 20. The reinforcing portion 32 of the strip 26 is similar to that hereinbefore described in connection with the structure disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the'drawings. As shown in the enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 9 the stripportion 32 extends laterally of the plate 12 and is integral with the louver slat elements 18 and 20. This structure has the same stilfening effect as the leg of an angle iron or other angle member and is structurally similar in proportion to its dimensional extension laterally of the plate 12.

It will be here noted that the staggered relation of the louver slat elements 18 and 118:: permits the strips 26 and 26a to be staggered whereby stretching of these strips laterally to form the reinforcing portions 32 may be readily and easily accomplished. This staggered arrangement of the strips 26 and 26a may thus facilitate the fabrication of such louver structures of metal or other material which may difficult to stretch form.

In the modification of the present invention as shown in FIGS. l1, l2 and 13, a louver plate 40 is formed in a similar fashion to that of the louver plate 12 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. The louver plate 40 as shown in FIG. 11 is in blank form wherein louver slat elements 1'8 and 28 are cut out but not angularly deflected into place.

A strip 42 similar to the strip 26 shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings is formed between adjacent ends of the louver elements 18 and 20 and this strip 42 is provided with a solid portion 44 and an expandable portion 46. The expandable portion 46 is provided with overlapping slits 48 similar to those found in conventional expanded metal.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 the plate 40 is formed so that the louvers 18 and 20 are disposed at an angle to the plate and wherein the solid portion 44 of the strip 42 is disposed at an angle coinciding with the angle of the slat element 18 while the expandable portion 46 of the strip 42 is expanded into a structure similar to expanded metal.

The reason for the expandable structure 46 of the strip 42 is to permit the solid section 44 of the strip 42 to extend a considerable distance laterally of the plate 49 in alignment and integral with the louver slat elements 18 and 20. This extends the reinforcing structure of the solid portion 44 of the strip 42 and thereby greatly strengthens the plate laterally and between adjacent ends of the louver slat elements 18 and 20.

The expandable portion 46 of the strip 42 is capable of permitting extreme angular extension of the solid portion 44 of the strip 42 and permits the use of hard high tensile strength materials or permits the use of relatively thick materials as desired.

The expandable portion 46 of the strip 42 greatly alleviates the tendency of certain materials to crack when stressed to an extent comparable to that shown in FIG. 12 wherein the solid portion 44 of the strip 42 is very extensive.

The expandable portion 46 ofthe strip 42 thus provides an integral interconnected relationship between the plate 40 and the solid portion 44 of the strip 42 when the louver structure is formed as shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the expandable portion 46 of the strip 42 may be made in various ways as, for example, this expandable portion 46 may be formed by slitting or perforating as desired. Obviously the pattern of slits shown in FIG. 13 may be varied as desired to accomplish the intended results of considerable lateral extension of a solid portion 44 of the strip 42 in order to greatly increase the lateral reinforcing structure which integrally interconnects adjacent ends of the louver slat elements 18 and 20.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and being spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements; a portion of said strip extending laterally of one side of said plate at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said portion being in alignment with and integral with said first and second louver slat elements.

2. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements disposed in longitudinal alignment :with each other and being spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements and a first portion of said strip extending transversely to said louver slat elements; a second portion of said strip extending laterally to one side of said plate at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said second portion being in alignment with and integral with both of said first and second louver slat elements; said second portion forming a stiffener structure which interconnects said louver slat elements, one of said louver slat elements having an end opposite to its said adjacent end; said opposite end being cut away from said plate at a location coinciding with one side of said plate, said adjacent ends of said louver slat elements being cut away from said plate at a location spaced laterally of said one side of said plate.

3. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements disposed in lon tudinal alignment with each other and spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate being disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements; a portion of said strip being disposed lateral- 1y of one side of said plate and integrally interconnecting said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements.

4. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements; a portion of said strip being expanded to permit external lateral disposition thereof relative to a side of said plate; another portion of said strip being disposed laterally of one side of said plate and integrally interconnecting adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements.

5. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and being spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed bteween said adjacent ends of said first and second louver elements; a first portion of said strip extending laterally of one side of said plate (at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said first portion being in alignment with and integral with said first and second louver elements which extend laterally of said plate; a second portion of said strip being slitted and expanded and integral with said first portion and said plate, said first and second portions extending laterally of the same side of said plate.

6. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate being disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements; a portion of said strip being disposed laterally of one side of said plate and integrally interconnecting said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements, another portion of said strip being in stretched condition to permit lateral displacement thereof from said plate, said strip portions being integral and effecting a bracing of said slat elements.

7. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements and a first portion of said strip extending transversely to said louver slat elements; a second portion of said strip extending laterally to one side of said plate at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said second portion being in alignment with and integral with both of said first and second louver slat elements; said second portion forming a stiffener structure which interconnects said louver slat elements, one of said louver slat elements having an end opposite to its said adjacent end; said opposite end being cut away from said plate at a location coinciding with one side of said plate, said adjacent ends of said louver slat elements being cut away from said plate at a location spaced laterally of said one side of said plate, the material of said first portion of said strip being stretched so as to be angular-1y related to said plate and to said second portion of said strip, and forming an integral connection therebetween.

8. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and being spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements; a portion of said strip extending laterally of one side of said plate at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said portion being in alignment with and integral with said first and second louver slat elements, said strip having another portion integral with said first mentioned portion and extending therefrom to integral connection with said plate and being elongated so as to be angularly related to said first mentioned portion and to said plate.

9. Ina louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements disposed in longitudinal alignment each other and spaced apart at their adjacent ends; a strip of said plate disposed between said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat elements and a first portion of said strip; a second portion of said strip extending laterally of one side of said plate at an angle equal to that of said louver slat elements, said second portion being in alignment with and integral with said first and second louver slat elements which extend laterally of said plate; said second laterally extending portion of said strip being integral with said louver slat elements laterally of said plate thereby forming a stiffener strucnu'e which interconnects said louver slat elements through said second laterally extending portion of said strip; third and fourth louver slat elements similar in construction and parallel to said first and second louver slat elements; a second strip of said plate between said third and fourth louver slat elements and being similar to said first mentioned strip; said third louver slat element having a middle portion disposed adjacent said first strip whereby said third and fourth louver slat elements are longitudinally staggered relative to said first land second louver slat elements.

10. In a louver structure; a plate; first and second louver slat elements each integral with said plate and extending laterally of said plate at an angle thereto; said first and second louver slat elements disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other and spaced apart at their ad- 7" 8 jacent ends; a strip of said plate being disposed between References Cited in the file of this patent said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat UNITED STATES PATENTS elements; a portion of said strip being disposed laterally of one side of said plate and integrally interconnecting 15.601168 Klmball 21, 1923 said adjacent ends of said first and second louver slat ele- 5 1,678,748 Smith y 1 3 ments, another portion of said strip being in stretched con- 2:145,073 Drake J 2 19 9 dition to permit lateral displacement thereof from said 2,492,909 p Dec. 27, 1949 plate, said strip portions being integral and efiecting a 2, 0,9 5 O ter orn Dec. 1, 1953 bracing of said slatelements, said other portion having 2,703,045 Gilbert et a1. Mar. 1, 1955 an area provided with perforations and being stretched 10 2,784,669 De R00 et a1 Mar. 12, 1957 at said area. 2,909,112 Yousoufian Oct. 20, 1959 

2. IN A LOUVER STRUCTURE; A PLATE; FIRST AND SECOND LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS EACH INTEGRAL WITH SAID PLATE AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OF SAID PLATE AT AN ANGLE THERETO; SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS DISPOSED IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER AND BEING SPACED APART AT THEIR ADJACENT ENDS; A STRIP OF SAID PLATE DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS AND A FIRST PORTION OF SAID STRIP EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY TO SAID LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS; A SECOND PORTION OF SAID STRIP EXTENDING LATERALLY TO ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE AT AN ANGLE TO THAT OF SAID LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS, SAID SECOND PORTION BEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID INTEGRAL WITH BOTH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS; SAID SECOND PORTION FORMING A STIFFENER STRUCTURE WHICH INTERCONNECTS SAID LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS, ONE OF SAID LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS HAVING AN END OPPOSITE TO ITS SAID ADJACENT END; SAID OPPOSITE END BEING CUT AWAY FROM SAID PLATE AT A LOCATION COINCIDING WITH ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE, SAID ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID LOUVER SLAT ELEMENTS BEING CUT AWAY FROM SAID PLATE AT A LOCATION SPACED LATERALLY OF SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE. 